Oakland police compliance director named

A federal judge on Monday named a consultant who has criticized the Oakland Police Department over its handling of Occupy protests as its "compliance director," the person responsible for driving home court-ordered police reforms.

Thomas Frazier, who runs the Frazier Group of Baltimore, will begin work next week in the new position, which pays $270,000 a year, U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson said in an order late Monday. Frazier, who will move to Oakland, was not a candidate recommended by either city officials or civil rights lawyers involved in the case that led to creation of the position.

"We believe we can work well in collaboration with Mr. Frazier to accelerate our efforts to reach full compliance with the outstanding reform tasks," the statement said. "Everyone involved in this case is working toward the same goals: enhanced, constitutional policing and strengthened relationships between our police and our communities."

As an agent of the court - and not a city employee or contractor - Frazier will oversee the department's efforts to bring the department into compliance with a consent decree ordered after four officers who called themselves the Riders were accused in 2000 of systematically beating and framing suspects.

The officers faced two criminal trials but were never convicted. But a lawsuit filed by more than 100 of their alleged victims resulted in a $10.9 million civil judgment against the city in 2003, as well as reforms ordered by Henderson.

Avoiding receivership

Frazier's appointment was the result of an agreement between the city and civil rights lawyers that allowed the department to avoid being placed under unprecedented federal control through a receivership. He will consult with city officials and outside experts before preparing plans and timetables to reduce the unjustified use of force, racial profiling, high-speed chases and complaints of police misconduct, and improve the investigation of citizen complaints.

Frazier will negotiate with the city on the Police Department budget but will have the power to spend up to $250,000 on any project without city approval. He will also have the authority to demote or fire Jordan as well as deputy and assistant chiefs, decisions that the city could appeal to Henderson. A federal receiver would have had additional authority over spending and police personnel. He will start Monday and no end date was given for the position.

Frazier, a former Baltimore police commissioner and a 28-year veteran of the San Jose Police Department, was the federal monitor of consent decrees involving the Los Angeles and Detroit police departments. Frazier had previously also served as a "special adviser" to the Oakland police, helping Jordan deal with the consent decree.

Broad support

John Burris, an attorney representing the civil plaintiffs, said Monday that Frazier has had a "running start" because of his previous work in Oakland.

"We have someone who is deeply knowledgeable and of professional stature," Burris said. "That was important to us. It's clear he does not have a pro-police mentality, and his awareness of Oakland, its Police Department and its issues, helps reduce the learning curve."

Councilman Larry Reid said the judge's selection was an important step toward steering the department away from federal receivership.

"I'm for anyone who can help bring us into compliance," Reid said. "It that person is fair and can bring us out of this receivership, then I support them, and am all for it 100 percent."

He will be paid by the court, said Henderson, who ordered the city to deposit $270,000 into the court's registry no later than March 25. Before tapping Frazier to the post, the judge had asked the city for the salary figures of Jordan and Santana, saying he believed there was "good cause for the compliance director to be paid more than the chief of police but less than the city administrator."

In a court filing Monday, city officials said Jordan is paid $257,973 and that Santana receives $282,000.

In September, Frazier issued a report that excoriated the Oakland police for its handling of Occupy Oakland protests, saying the department was understaffed and insufficiently prepared in fall 2011 to confront demonstrators who tried to reoccupy the City Hall camp that officers had previously cleared.

The Frazier Group, which consults on police issues, said at the time that it had already begun working with the city to improve its police tactics.

"We're glad that we have a compliance director in place who can guide us toward getting into compliance with the negotiated settlement agreement and also fighting rising crime in Oakland," said Barry Donelan, president of the Oakland Police Officers Association. "I look forward to Commissioner Frazier taking office." Frazier will have to adhere to Oakland's union contract in dealing with police officers and will meet with Donelan every three months to discuss the perspective of rank-and-file officers.